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No demo CD's... only live auditions
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No demo CD's... only live auditions

sixxx 11:14 PM - 3 March, 2007
How do you feel about demo CD's?

I personally hate them now. I used to pass them around and stuff and I don't think I ever got a gig with them. Not because they're bad, obviously (hahaha) but because they're so impersonal and there's only so much you can show on them; not to mention the fact nowadays anyone can cheat on them and perfect them using software.

So, it's ONLY LIVE AUDITIONS FOR ME.

Friday, I did a live audition at a local club and of course I got the gig. I'm very vocal on the mic and pretended that I was spinnin' for a packed house. They wanted variety since they're trying to compete with other clubs in the area on the same night. So, I played hip hop, r&b, reggae, old school, spanish, reggaeton and dancehall.

They loved it. I stopped and I had the feeling they wanted me to keep going. lol
RICHY RICH 11:50 PM - 3 March, 2007
I agree 100%
gars 11:54 PM - 3 March, 2007
I had a live audition while the club was empty. Just the owner and a couple staff around. It was weird. No way I could have been hyped on the mic during that. I got the job but it is still hard to pick songs without actual faces around. You know what I mean? One second the club is dead the next people are dancin and you just get in the groove. I love that shit
sixxx 7:19 AM - 4 March, 2007
Quote:
I had a live audition while the club was empty. Just the owner and a couple staff around. It was weird. No way I could have been hyped on the mic during that.


It's all a state of mind.
john blaze 10:29 AM - 4 March, 2007
Sixx I agree 100%, but I feel like it's my downfall at times. Everyone around here always wants a cd.
Dj Maxim S 10:36 AM - 4 March, 2007
tell me about it dude....
Mr. $weetlife 1:49 PM - 4 March, 2007
I was just thinking about that the other day. I am at a point now where I can tell prospective venues to just come check me out somewhere. CD's are so limiting and sometimes I wonder if the promoter really understands when I say "listen to how the songs are intertwined, and not the selection." Because I just don't have the time to tailor every CD to every type of venue I play.

I still make 'em and hand 'em out but I hate it. Especially because I don't computer edit like a lot ot these guys around here do.
Dj K.Smith 5:17 PM - 4 March, 2007
Quote:

Friday, I did a live audition at a local club and of course I got the gig. I'm very vocal on the mic and pretended that I was spinnin' for a packed house.



You're very vocal on the mic?!?!?! Really?!?!?! lol
DJ d.range 8:57 PM - 4 March, 2007
agreed...

i don't think anyone listens to more than the first 5-10 minutes of a demo cd
sixxx 11:19 PM - 4 March, 2007
Quote:
Quote:

Friday, I did a live audition at a local club and of course I got the gig. I'm very vocal on the mic and pretended that I was spinnin' for a packed house.



You're very vocal on the mic?!?!?! Really?!?!?! lol


Mic, no mic...same shit. hahahaha
sixxx 11:20 PM - 4 March, 2007
Quote:
agreed...

i don't think anyone listens to more than the first 5-10 minutes of a demo cd


and they skip shit sometimes... they can't skip a live audition.
RICHY RICH 11:27 PM - 4 March, 2007
Think about it,,,, if you tell them to see you play live, youve got all the other drunk people enjoying it!
DJ d.range 11:32 PM - 4 March, 2007
Quote:
Think about it,,,, if you tell them to see you play live, youve got all the other drunk people enjoying it!


and you can get your peeps to show up and talk about how great you are
sixxx 11:39 PM - 4 March, 2007
Another advantage at auditioning live is the fact that you get to check out their system. In my case, I brought my own turntables and mixer plus SSL, so it was good to see how long it would take me to set up, tear down and also, if I would run into any problems before I actually spin there.
DJ d.range 6:54 PM - 6 March, 2007
i've never done a live audition, how long did you spin??
Pete Moss 8:16 PM - 6 March, 2007
Demo CDs don't work. You have to see a DJ as much as you hear them. A client can't ask you to mix particular songs on a CD that you gave them. They can't feel the room energy when they're listening in their car. A live audition with people in the room is the only way.
sixxx 8:17 PM - 6 March, 2007
Quote:
i've never done a live audition, how long did you spin??


I spun for like 45 or so. I wasn't even thinking of the time.
Dj Ryme 10:49 PM - 6 March, 2007
sixxx played sexy back and got the gig.
DJ-A 11:17 PM - 6 March, 2007
i told a lady that was hiring for a club that i wouldnt give her a demo. you should have seen her face, she was like uhhhhh, you dont have a demo. i said not that i hand out. here's my business card, and when you know what you want call me and i'll show you what i got.

i think people keep the cool demo's so they dont have to listen to their normal songs...
sixxx 11:37 PM - 6 March, 2007
Quote:
sixxx played sexy back and got the gig.


hahaha. Nah. I didn't even play that. That song is only reserved from when I'm too buzzed to even care.
sixxx 11:38 PM - 6 March, 2007
Quote:
i told a lady that was hiring for a club that i wouldnt give her a demo. you should have seen her face, she was like uhhhhh, you dont have a demo. i said not that i hand out. here's my business card, and when you know what you want call me and i'll show you what i got.

i think people keep the cool demo's so they dont have to listen to their normal songs...


and some people collect demo's and play those demos and never hire a dj. lol

That's why all my shit has drops galore!
DJ CISCO 8:27 PM - 7 March, 2007
A club I used to spin for about 7-8 years ago asked me to come thru for an audition cuz they were hiring a few months back. I told them I dont audition. If you want me hire me, but you need to pay me more than Im making right now... they kept callin me and kept callin me and kept callin me.. I basically didnt want to diss the promoter I work for.. It gets kinda nasty here in Chicago..

To hell with Demo's!!!
Pete Moss 8:53 PM - 7 March, 2007
Quote:
A club I used to spin for about 7-8 years ago asked me to come thru for an audition cuz they were hiring a few months back. I told them I dont audition. If you want me hire me, but you need to pay me more than Im making right now... they kept callin me and kept callin me and kept callin me.. I basically didnt want to diss the promoter I work for.. It gets kinda nasty here in Chicago..

To hell with Demo's!!!

I agree, if I'm working somewhere now; they can come see me play where I'm at and make a counteroffer.
Jay-R 9:38 PM - 7 March, 2007
anybody spin in san diego/socal? i'm about to leave my residency and looking for a new one.

back to topic, i've never gotten a gig through a demo. it doesn't work for me. to the listiner, it's just another mix.
DJ Michael Basic 9:55 PM - 7 March, 2007
Interesting

I'm starting my new gig tonight that I got from giving a guy a demo CD. I've got 3 other promoters who put me on their list of DJs to call because of demos, one of which looks like it'll come through for some big gigs pretty soon.

On my demos I didn't really try to cater to anyone...I just played my style and if a promoter likes it, it means I'll fit with their crowd. I'd rather be able to play my style of music than have to tailor. Of course, that's not always an option, but so far it's worked out.
sixxx 11:41 PM - 7 March, 2007
I agree with the fact that if you're already spinnin' somewhere else and they know you because of that, they you shouldn't have to audition. But, who knows, they may want to see it first hand at their club, etc.

Also, I can see passing out a Demo CD and then getting calls from a promoter... but you better believe that if has never seen you spin live, he's gonna check you live and then decide if you'll make it again to any of his gigs. You know?
sixxx 11:41 PM - 7 March, 2007
and DJ Michael Basic, that's a good point.